The mental health field has discovered several approaches to addiction therapy. Two examples are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These methodologies involve tracing an individual’s addiction back to core thinking patterns. Once found, the therapist will guide you in questioning these toxic patterns and ultimately reroute thinking patterns. While the treatments mentioned earlier are effective for many clients, there is no one-size-fits-all addiction therapy. Another form of addiction therapy you may benefit from is a motivational enhancement therapy program.
Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) has assisted many recovering addicts and alcoholics in treating their substance use disorder. Las Vegas MET is readily available through Sierra Sage Recovery Services. If you are interested in exploring motivational enhancement therapy, call us today at 833.922.2884 to learn more.
The Principles of Motivational Enhancement Therapy
Individuals who desire to engage in treatment and stop drug or alcohol use are more likely to remain in treatment and follow through with clinical suggestions. If a client lacks that motivation, motivational enhancement therapy addresses that ambivalence and produces quick results. It’s administered in individual sessions with a MET-certified therapist. There are five main principles of MET.
Empathy
People hesitant to seek treatment require an environment of trust and understanding where they feel safe to discuss thoughts and underlying issues.
No Judgment
MET-certified therapists offer no-judgment treatment. Even if the client expresses open aggression towards their therapist, a MET-certified therapist will remain patient and open.
Acknowledging Disparity
Many people with substance use disorder struggle with identity and self-perception. MET-certified therapists acknowledge this discrepancy and focus their efforts on revealing cognitive distortions in the client’s thinking.
Understanding Resistance
MET-certified therapists pace each session and client according to the client’s progress. Many display psychological resistance at first and require several sessions to begin opening up to clinicians.
Encouragement Towards Change
Many people with substance use disorder exhibit feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, or other forms of resistance to treatment. A MET therapist aims to show their client that change and recovery from substance use disorder are possible.
MET can also be helpful as a gateway treatment to other co-occurring conditions that often exacerbate addiction. Suppose an individual relies on substances or behaviors to self-medicate obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar, or eating disorders. In that case, this counseling approach can provide the foundation for further treatment.
MET for Addiction Therapy
Unlike other therapy methods, motivational enhancement therapy only lasts a few weeks, beginning with an initial assessment and continuing with discussion. The program is usually followed by complex counseling approaches like CBT and DBT, the kind of treatment that works most effectively with an active participant. It can also be the starting point for a 12-Step treatment, such as:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Narcotics Anonymous
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Cocaine Anonymous
These programs can be used to provide a support system and tools for life in long-term recovery.
Studies from 1993 have proven that motivational enhancement therapy increases a person’s want for positive change. The goal of this therapy method is to promote internally motivated change.
Choose Sierra Sage for Las Vegas MET
At Sierra Sage, we are strong proponents of motivational enhancement therapy. We offer various services to ensure that our clients are driven to move forward with their substance use disorder treatment.
Are you or is someone you love in need of addiction help? Are they having a hard time creating a change plan or not engaging with their recovery treatment or relapsing back into old patterns? A person more motivated to change their alcohol or substance use disorder is likely to follow through and undergo the necessary treatment for long-term recovery. Call Sierra Sage Recovery Services at 833.922.2884 or reach out online, and learn how motivational enhancement therapy may be the appropriate treatment approach for you.
